8 August 2004 -- U.S. national security adviser Condoleezza Rice today declined to rule out that the United States could take covert action against Iran to disrupt its nuclear weapons program.

Rice told U.S. television that U.S. President George W. Bush "will look at all the tools that are available."

Rice said the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is now moving towards taking stronger action against Iran. She said Washington believes the IAEA will soon issue a strong statement that Iran must either submit to the will of the international community, or be isolated.

The United States has accused Iran of flouting international calls to curb its nuclear activities. Tehran denies it has a nuclear-arms program.